Birsen Ozbilge Contemporary Art

Amicus res rara

2012-02-19T11:47:00.000-08:00

“Amicus res rara” True friend is a rare thing

Oil painting and mixed media on canvas - 22 x 22 cm – 2011

If you have at least one good friend in this life you must consider yourself lucky. Latin proverb says “Amicus res rara” (true friend is a rare thing). What is really a true friend for you? Let’s define this person; maybe someone you can understand and express yourself or someone you can count on, someone gives you his/her friendship without any expectations… I love this song “Friends” by “Flight of the concords. Enjoy it! Have a wonderful week! Don't forget to keep in touch with your good friends...

Working on new project

2012-01-31T12:17:00.000-08:00

At the end of 2011 I got hired for designing table tops for a new restaurant which will be open at the end of February in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. I prepared 10 different design drafts and 3 were chosen by this client. To create these designs I used some images of my "cactusueños" oil colour painting series. The client was very happy with my artwork, she is offering more design jobs for her new restaurant. Actually last year she purchased one of my painting ( see Cactusueños II ). When someone appreciates of my creativity and hardwork and comebacks to me it really turns me on and gives me a lots of motivation! It's great way to start to the new year :))

Table top design, oil paiting images on pvc, 1 m. diameter January 2012

From studio's window

2012-01-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

In the beginning of 2012 we have this fantastic weather in Gran Canaria. Actually we are expecting the cold weather soon at the peaks of the island and they say it may even snow this year!

What I see from my painting studio's window. Beautiful green valley with the palm trees and view to Atlantic ocean...

A wish from 2012 - Terra firma

2012-01-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

"Terra firma" Stable earth

Oil on canvas and mixed media, 22 x 22cm., 2011

I wish a stable and strong earth from 2012. No more shakes, my home country, Turkey suffered several earthquakes just few months ago. Many devistated stories and sadness...

Schumann, aria, sonata n.1, op.11, Claudio Arrau, vanitas, trompe l´oeil

2012-01-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

Vita est Somnium

2012-01-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

"Vita est Somnium" Life is a dream (SOLD)
Oil on canvas and mixed media, 22 x 22cm., 2011

Life is a Dream (La vida es sueño) is a Spanish language play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca. First published in 1635 (or possibly early in 1636), it is a philosophical allegory regarding the human situation and the mystery of life. (by Wikipedia )

Welcome to 2012 from Sirenas of Las Canteras!

2012-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

On the 31st of December 50 children choreographed by Paola Tirados presenting the swimming show in Las Canteras Beach Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

In Vino Veritas (The Truth is in the wine)
Colored pencil on paper, 40 x 30 cm.

Another year to leave behind us. Get close to your loved ones, remember your friends and your family. Pick up the phone and call or send a card at least, if you cannot be there this time. Drink wine to celebrate and enjoy the nice meals. Wish you the best in year 2012. Thanks for stopping by...

Quid est veritas

2011-10-07T03:20:00.000-07:00

‘‘Quid est veritas’’ What is truth?

Oil painting and mixed media on canvas - 60 x 100 cm - 2011

What really matters to us in this life? Did you ever ask this question to yourselves? We all have difficulties to find the right answer of this simple question, don't we? In this painting, the latin proverb says "Quid est veritas" (What is the truth?). Hopefully at some point in our lives, we can find the answer. Maybe we all know the answer or there is no answer at all...

Rarum est Carum

2011-09-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

Rare things are valuable is the meaning of this anonimous Latin saying. It's true that not all of us can get some precious things in this world. But we can not take them with us when we die neighter. If you worked hard and earned your money enjoy it now! Don't be greedy share it and make yourself and others happy! Because life is too short for little games.

Rarum est carum (Rare things are valuable)

Oil painting and mixed media on canvas - 74 x 93 cm - 2011

Nulla rosa sine spinis

2011-09-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

“Nulla rosa sine spinis” There is no rose without spine

Oil painting and mixed media on canvas - 81 x 100 cm - 2011

Seeking symbolic meaning of the rose we can look at the ancient beliefs, in which rose expresses promise, new beginnings, passion and desire. This beauty is contrasted with its thorns which represents defense, physicality, loss, dissapointment.

In this latin saying “Nulla Rosa sine spinis” – (There is no rose without thorn) tells us that whatever we really wanted so badly that precious thing, for sure will give us some headache in some point of our life. If you are special person who has passion for an achievement and you know now nothing comes easy…

The Exhibition Videoclip

2011-05-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
“Ars Longa Vita Brevis” (Life is short, art is long), My solo exhibition has ended on April 30th. The whole experience was very good for me and I am very happy that my artworks met with their art enthusiasts and now some left with their new admirers to hang on their new places…

If you missed the exhibition, here it’s the videoclip! Enjoy and please feel free to leave comments.

Opening Night

2011-05-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

My solo exhibition opened on Tuesday 5th of April. I would like to thank to all my family, friends and other art enthusiasts for coming to the opening. You can see the photos from the opening night at the slide show below. I will post here the latest news about the exhibition. Please visit my blog often, thanks
**Click on the Slide show to see the pics

Exhibition Info

2011-03-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Click on image to see bigger

Time doesn't wait for no one; another busy weekend is gone... I received all the promotional materials for my exhibition. The exhibition will take place at Odakule Sanat Galerisi, 142 Istiklal Street, Beyoglu, Istanbul. The time period will be 6 April - 30 April and the gallery will be open between 11:00 am - 18:00 pm everyday(except Sundays). I hope you enjoy the show...

Please feel free to post a comment here afterwards, Thanks.

Countdown for Solo Show!

2011-03-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

It has been for a while since my last post, I have to admit that I really missed blogging and sharing my art with you. As I had mentioned you on my October post about my gallery's request of 10 more oil paintings made me pretty occupied for last 4 months. Finally I finished the artworks and now I am counting down the days for the opening. My Solo Show "Ars Longa, Vita Brevis" (Art is long, life is short) will be at "Odakule Art Gallery" in Istanbul. I will show total of 39 pieces of artworks. I don't want to put my latest works here until the opening but you have seen already work in progress of "Acta est fibula" (So ends the story) last year on May so this seems fare...
I will give you more detailed info these coming days, please come back to check my blog, thanks.

Have an artsy and happy day, because "Ars Longa, Vita Brevis"...

“Acta est fibula” So ends the story

Oil painting on canvas - 34 x 40 cm - 2010

Pacem in Terris

2010-11-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Pacem in Terris" (Peace on Earth)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2010
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

Whenever people stops fighting and listen their own humanly mind they will find the peace! This drawing is protesting WAR! It's not that far from my geographical location, on Western Sahara (close to Marocco) recently on November 8th more than 12 people died and hundreds of them wounded. I wish they will find the peace soon...

New Studio!

2010-10-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

I guess blogging was successful. At the beginning of July I was making arrangements for a gallery interview in Istanbul. During the month of July I worked very hard for the transition from the drawings to the oil paintings. In August I needed a break, I went to Fuerteventura for 2 weeks with my husband. The vacation was great, came back to the studio with lots of energy and inspirations. Beginning of September started to prepare my portfolio for my recent works and at the end of the second week of September I was in Istanbul. The meeting with the gallery went very well, they liked the originals of "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" and they requested 10 more oil paintings. I have to finish them until mid February in order to get ready for the spring exhibition. I came back to the island 2 weeks ago, first week I got in touch with friends and did some family meetings. This week, I moved my working area to a bigger studio room and started on the sketches of the new paintings... The movement gave me luck I guess, a friend brought me a buyer yesterday and I sold one of my “Cactusueños” paintings.

Videoclip of the New Studio

Dutch Masters!

2010-06-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

In mid June I did a small trip to Amsterdam. I had chance to see the originals of Dutch Masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and many more in Rijksmuseum. There was a temporary exhibit of Miró whom inspired by the Dutch Masters during his trip to Amsterdam in 1928. It was very interesting to see Miró's surrealist works which inspired by Dutch Masters.

I guess me too :)) After getting the great inspiration from the Dutch Masters I started working on several new paintings on my way back... One of them below called "Amor Vincit Omnia" (Love conquers all)

"Amor Vincit Omnia" (Love conquers all)

46 cm. x 37 cm., oil painting and mixed media on canvas, 2011

Of course the star of the Rijksmuseum Collection was the famous "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. It is an enormous painting covering the whole wall in one room. An absolute masterpiece! A lot of details and great light tricks show us how Rembrandt was the best of his time. Unfortunately, life didn't threat him well, he went bankrupt, all his belongings went on auction and died in poverty. Today his house in Amsterdam is a museum where he lived about 17 years.

The Night Watch, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1642, 363 cm × 437 cm (142.9 in × 172.0 in)

Acta est Fibula

2010-05-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

I feel sad whenever I see a very old person, walking slowly on the street... We will be very old one day, who knows... But I see also young people who lives like old people. That's such a waste! In this case the Latin proverb "Acta est Fibula" (The end of the story) is relatively true. However If we can keep the young spirit, I don't think it doesn't matter how much wrinkle we will get on our skin because the youthness is temporary but the wisdom has the power!

Work in progress "Acta est Fibula" ( The end of the story)

Busy working again

2010-04-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging for a while because too many things were going on lately. First of all I did a lot of material shopping this month and prepared canvases for a possible upcoming show for the Ars Longa Vita Brevis project. Made several sketches for them and started to paint. I am working with oil colours this time.

Winsor&Newton 200ml oil paints and Cryla oil brushes
shopped from http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
Great customer service!

Although I started on the canvases in the mean time I keep continue for the drawings. The next drawing is ready to work, the edges lined out on a paper. This one called "Age quod agis" meaning is Do what you do, in the sense of "Do well what you do" or "Be serious in what you do".

work in progress

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"Vive ut vitas" Live life to the fullest!

2010-03-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

I finished another drawing from the Latin proverb series. This one reminds us how life is precious, so tells us let live it to the fullest... How many of us could enjoy our lives hundred percent? The world looks like big but it's very small actually. Many of us have similar dreams, hopes, problems but at the end nothing is different, one day we won't be sitting here anymore... Think, you wouldn't exist if this and that never happened to your parents, their parents etc... :)) There is no reason for anything, maybe that's the reason. So act right now and go out, enjoy the LIFE!

"Vive ut vitas" (Live the life to the fullest)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2010
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

The first drawing of 2010 "Scio me nihil scire"

2010-01-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

"Scio me nihil scire" (I know that I know nothing)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2010
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

The first drawing of 2010, "Scio me nihil scire" (I know that I know nothing). I closed my eyes with my hands thinking "what do I know?". The Answer was "NOTHING". Well at least i knew one thing, right? :P Being in the middle of non stop growing age of technology. So much information is going on and on..., I want to read more blogs, ebooks, watch more youtube videos to learn more. But for what? Just to know that I know "nothing" I guess :))

Happy new year to all out there and whoever reads this post now.

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Nil Desperandum

2009-11-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

Horace gave us the most encouraging line of all: "Nil desperandum" which means "Never give up!". The only way for us to achieve to success... Maybe you have failed on this road before or have found big barriers blocking your way. Well, listen to that wise Latin proverb now like someone is whispering it to your ear; "Nil Desperandum" (Never give up!)

And move on!

I just finished the drawing below, I hope you enjoy it :))

"Nil Desperandum" (Never give up)

Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

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Slide Show

2009-09-28T14:31:00.001-07:00

Click on music button right next to "slide + star" icon on the clip

Major e Longinquo Reverentia

2009-09-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

I put the finishing touches to "Major e Longinquo Reverentia" (Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful). This painting makes us to think of how we judge other people's life, rich and famous people, politics, places, jobs, etc... without knowing their reality.

"Major e Longinquo Reverentia"

(Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

The picture below is my latest artwork that I am working on now. I just transfered the outlines with my film projector to the paper and drew the lines with pencil. Now it is the time to choose the proverb and put the beads together. Obviously the figure on the composition is telling an advice. It must be short and a clear subject, because I don't have the long space to put it. I wanted to use "Carpe Diem" but it was way too short :)) Well, few more beads, that's it! I chose "Nil Desperandum" (Never give up!).

"Nil Desperandum" (Never give up!)

Work in progress

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Acta Non Verba

2009-09-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

My short vacation finished very quickly, back to the reality... Still working on the first coats of "Major e longinquo reverentia'' (Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful). Advance stages soon will be here.

A finished painting called "Acto Non Verba" (Action, not words), I just found this photo in my camera's memory card that I have been forgotten to post it here. I am a good listener more than a talker, so people "who likes to talk too much and do nothing about it" yes that is the reason of this painting. It's action time now!

"Acta Non Verba" (Action, not words)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
15"x 11.5" ( 37 cm. x 27 cm. )

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Work in Progress Slide Show

2009-09-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finished "In Vino Veritas" (The truth is in wine). This time other than the hands I painted the wine glass as well. While I was working on it I took several pictures of it in different stages. Below you can see on the slide show.

Today I just started a new drawing called ''Major e longinquo reverentia'' (Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful). I drew the outline and just put the first few layers of colours. Even in this ugly stage if you look from a distance it looks pretty good :)) I won't be in the studio till Monday, taking a small break in the south of our beautiful island. I will put pictures of it when I comeback...

Have a nice weekend

"In Vino Veritas" (The truth is in wine) work in progress slide show

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In Vino Veritas

2009-08-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

A Latin proverb says "In Vino Veritas" the meaning is "the truth is in wine", in other words wine makes you to tell the truth. Let's make a test now. I'm inviting you to drink wine tonight, whichever is your favourite red or white, rose, it's fine. Oh no! There is no wine just you said, so find an alternative drink. Well, just drink few cup of it and find a crying/confession wall of yours (preferably a non big mouth fond friend). Start telling the truth, the truth that makes you whatever you feel like to tell (or the "wine" makes you to tell). No guarantee afterwards how you might feel like; relieved, great, honest, proud or little, guilty, silly or maybe in another mood that now i cannot bring it up to my mind ...

I have been working on this title for a few days since I received my new electrical pencil sharpener, no more lead breaks, it works great! I am in the ugly stage of painting now. I would like to give you an idea about how I build the painting with coloured pencils. it's quite slow process, layers and layers of work. I used seven skin tone colours up to this point; they were cream, light cream, light peach, jasmin, Deco pink, pink rose, beige.

Work in progress

"In Vino Veritas" (The truth is in wine)
Prismacolor premium pencils

In the studio, Gran Canaria, August 2009

We left the half of the week behind us, see you soon, have an artsy and winy days...

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New Drawings

2009-08-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Late last night I wrote a post in Turkish version. Another perfect day today in Gran Canaria, 25Cº :)) My latest "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" (Art is long, Life is Short) project is coming out well. Only, I've been broken few of my coloured pencil leads so I made my search in the net, the experts say it's normal when you use mechanical ones, they suggest an electrical or battery operated ones. Of course right away I ordered an electrical pencil sharpener. The good news, I realized last night the comments were open to only for registered members, I fixed that now, it's open to anyone who reads this post.

What about to talk on Latin Proverbs a little bit? ; Below you are viewing one of my new works called "Etiam quod esse videris" (Be what you seem to be or seem like who you are). In my opinion, this phrase to be told a person who needs a quick shake and get alerted. We are surrounded by with these kinds of people in our everyday life. Most of the times we choose to ignore them or we play the stupid boy. The ego in human soul is huge, there are so many classism, racism etc... I expressed my feelings in this painting that I wouldn't be able to say it loud in any circumstances. Anyway, I had chosen some proverbs, just simply to tell something as well, for example "Omnia causa fiunt" (Everything has a reason) as you have seen it on my previews post.

"Etiam quod esse videris"

(Be what you seem to be or seem like who you are)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

Well, another one "Homo homini lupus" (Man is a wolf to man). Absolutely it's true, no need to be a philosopher to understand.(See below). For the last one "Cave cave deus videt" (Beware beware god sees you) I am sending a message to liars and unfair people in a way saying "don't think that you are the only smart one and everybody else is stupid."

"Homo homini lupus"(Man is a wolf to man)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

"Cave cave deus videt" (Beware beware god sees you)
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm.)

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Bringing Out A New Artlog!

2009-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog;

"Birsen Ozbilge - Contemporary Art"

I have been thinking about to start an artlog long time ago. Well, finally today I found the strength to deal with the building process. It wasn't too complicated but to give the blog a modern and unique look took many hours, of course, it was worthy.

Lately, I am working on a new drawing project called "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" (Art is long, Life is short). I used Prismacolor Premium Coloured pencils on Gvarro 224 gr. Aquarelle paper and attached mixed media to the paper, stringed silver coloured plastic beads with letters on them. The beads tell famous Latin Proverbs, I am sure you have heard many of them once in your life time. Carpe Diem, Homo Homini Lupus, Cogito Ergo Sum etc...

I wanted to say something with my artwork but this point somehow everything came up to my mind was so cliché and I found this idea to bring wisdom from ancient to modern times using famous sayings and mottoes. While I was choosing them, I selected the ones just telling the simple truth and make sense with everyone's judgement. Also, I did a transition on the subjects while I was drawing, another words to say, I completed the whole figure by different working valued stages. Closer to the beads you'll see more realistic work done. So I worked on the hands more detailed and on the face just worked with simple lines and finally left with mid toned plane background.

Here now, you are viewing few of my finished drawings from this series. More posts will come soon and some of my work on progress drawings as well. Thanks for visiting my artlog.

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"Ars Longa Vita Brevis" ( Art is long, Life is short )
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

"Cogito Ergo Sum" ( I think therefore I am )
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )

"Omnia Causa Fiunt" ( Everything has a reason )
Coloured pencil on paper with mixed media, 2009
16"x 11" ( 40 cm. x 30 cm. )